Charlie Flanagan is Ireland's Minister for foreign affairs. God help us. Charlie is a nice chap, but what he is doing in Iveagh House is one of the great mysteries of Irish politics.

According to Charlie, he is earning his living travelling the globe "accepting plaudits". In an interview with Daniel McConnell in the Irish Independent last week he was euphoric: "Everywhere I go, I accept plaudits for the economic growth and people say to me to give regards to Enda Kenny as he has done a good job". He even went on to boast that "Ireland is now the pride of Europe".

Ireland is not "the pride of Europe". Its Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, is the hero of Europe's leaders. Its finance minister, Michael Noonan, does Europe's dirty work. Its foreign affairs minister, Charlie Flanagan, accepts the plaudits.

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